A film by Jesper W. Nielsen
Based on a novel by Jostein Gaarder
THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY
-Does it have four legs? -No.
-Does it live in Norway? -Yes.
-Does it have two legs? -No legs.
-Can it be a pet? -No.
-Does it have fur? -No. You're way off.
-No legs? -No legs.
-Does it live in the forest? -Yes.
-Does it have a zigzag pattern? -Yes.
-Is it a... -A snake?
It is a snake!
Once, a long time ago, there was too much of nothing.
Then it exploded.
From one small pearl to an endless universe.
In a matter of milliseconds, everything can change.
For around 13.7 billion years the universe has grown and grown.
I am 13 and 7 months. And I am also growing.
Too fast.
My name is Cecilie. And these are my personal notes.
Ángeles.
What?
-Ángeles. -Angels?
-It's insects. -No. Ángeles.
Hello!
Hi there. Here comes the Bloodsucker Express.
-I'm practically out of blood. -I hope you have some left for me.
-Do you know when dad is coming? -I just saw him talking to Anna.
Are you looking forward to going home for Christmas?
Ready?
Hi.
We want Christmas to be as nice as possible for you.
So we will skip church this year. Then we can eat earlier.
-I want to celebrate as usual. -It will be almost as usual.
-Grandma wondered what you wanted. -New skis. Downhill skis.
Right.
I want ice skates. The river is frozen now.
Know what happens when you put your ear to the ice?
-You can hear the water gurgle. -Under the ice?
I'd like to hear that.
What else do you want?
All I want are skis! Is that a problem?
Of course not, honey. But you may not get to ski this winter.
Why not wish for something you can use in bed...
-Sorry. -Want to know what else I want?
-Skates! And a sled! -Me too!
Stop it, Lasse!
Coconut!
Hi, Cecilia!
Hi.
-Do you want some coconut? -Are they good?
They are fresh.
-This is Klara. -Sebastian. Do you want?
They are good. Very good!
There is a better beach over there.
-No, friends don't pay. -Just keep it.
-No. Please. -It's OK.
You just keep it. No, no.
Thanks.
-Adiós! -Adiós.
Hi. Grandma and grandpa are here.
-Don't you feel well? -I feel a little nauseous.
Do you hurt anywhere?
-Am I warm? -A little.
Many people catch a fever this time of year.
-It's perfectly normal. -I can't be sick for Christmas!
-Am I getting skis? -Wait and see. Come on.
-I think l'll wait a little. -Come on down to the others.
Cheers!
-Merry Christmas. -Merry Christmas!
She's still asleep. Do you want to wake up?
Cecilie?
Hi.
Nice tree. Don't you think, Cecilie?
Sure.
But I liked the old star better. Where is it?
I had to buy a new one. Couldn't find the old one anywhere.
Would you like some chocolate? Or a cookie?
-Milk in your coffee? -No, black, thanks.
Why can't we open our presents?
-Do you have to smoke now? -You bet!
I have to have my Christmas cigar!
-Then again... -You always smoke on Christmas Eve.
But...it isn't good for me anymore.
Wow!
-Thank you! -This one is for the ''Ski Queen''.
-From grandma and grandpa. -''Ski Goddess'' would be better.
-Thank you! -That's what you wanted, right?
-I wish I could try them right away! -We all do, honey.
''There were shepherds in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks.''
''An behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them.''
''The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.''
''Then the angel said to them:''
''Do not be afraid, for behold, l bring you good tidings of great joy.''
Are you crying?
But this isn't sad.
You know, sometimes we cry when something is sad.
Other times when something is beautiful.
We never laugh because something is ugly.
No.
But we laugh at clowns when they are funny.
And sometimes we laugh when they are ugly, too. Look!
Hi.
Don't be afraid. I won't hurt you.
My name is Ariel.
I'm an angel. Have you slept well?
An angel? You expect me to believe that?
Angels can't lie.
Nice skis.
Nice tree.
No, it isn't. That star is ugly.
Isn't it just a little crooked?
-Is it strange to see me here? -I've never seen an angel before.
-Yes, it's very strange. -You can't usually see us.
-Aren't you being a little childish? -Angels never grow up.
-Why not? -Why should we?
-Life is about growing up. -Nonsense.
Life is about being a child.
Adults are only there because God doesn't like to let children die.
He thinks it's better to let them turn old and gray first.
Sometimes children die too.
You come and go, Cecilie.
That's so strange for us to watch.
Suddenly you're here, and then you're gone.
Every second, God shakes some brand-new children out of his sleeve.
Hocus-pocus!
And every second, someone disappears.
It's almost as if God is blowing soap bubbles with you.
''All the children in a row, Cecilie out...''
Mom's alarm clock!
Were you in the kitchen last night?
I think I went down for some water.
-Trouble sleeping? -Yes.
You were asleep when I checked on you around four.
Can you scratch my back?
Further down.
That's it.
Let's move your bed into our room.
Mom! I'm practically an adult.
-I don't want to listen to you snore. -I can understand that.
I'm sure you'll get well, honey.
-Come down and eat breakfast. -I want to write something first.
We come and go.
Every second, God shakes some brand-new children out of his sleeve.
And every second, someone disappears.
Hocus-pocus!
-Go to mom. -No way!
-Lasse! -Let's tickle him!
We're coming to get you!
Hi, Cecilia!
-Sebastian! -Cecilia!
Come!
Hey! I'm still blowing soap bubbles!
-Look. -It's beautiful!
Will you jump?
Really? Are you serious?
-Come on, Cecilia! Jump! -No way!
Cecilie, there can be sharks down there!
Come on, this is great!
-l'll do it. -Cecilie!
-What are you looking for? -That Christmas star.
-That doesn't matter anymore. -It's just ridiculous that...
It can't just disappear!
Play more, Cecilie. That sounded nice.
It was horrible.
What are you reading?
-Is it any good? -Yes, it is, actually.
-What's the best part? -I like what I'm reading right now.
I don't really understand it. Maybe that's why I'm so fond of it.
Let me hear.
''When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child.''
''l thought as a child.''
''But when I became a man, I put away childish things.''
Paul wrote this.
''Now we see but through a glass, darkly.''
''Then face to face.''
''Now I know in part, but then l shall know just as I also am known.''
Music exists nowhere else in the universe.
Only on this little music box of a planet.
You call that music?
Are you deaf?
-Yes. -Do angels need hearing aids?
We have no senses. We can't hear.
We can't see.
We can't taste.
-We can't do anything. -You can see and hear me.
-True, but not in the same way. -Then how?
I can't hear you with my ears. We mix thoughts.
-And I see you with my inner eye. -Inner eye?
You also have an inner eye.
-When you dream about Sebastian... -Sebastian?!
I told you, we mix thoughts.
Up in heaven, -
- we angels wonder what it must be like to be human.
I probably wonder about it more than most.
It is very strange, that you can taste your food.
Smell cigars, feel heat and cold, hear music...
Let's make a deal:
l'll tell you about being human, if you tell me about heaven.
-I can't do that. -Why not?
Heavenly secrets are the most secret of all secrets.
I'm not even allowed to let you see me.
Then why do you? Are you being disobedient?
A little.
-Then reveal some heavenly secrets! -No.
You have to give me something in return!
Think about that, while I go back to bed!
l'll reveal a few heavenly secrets.
But you have to go first. And you have to tell me a lot!
Pungent cheese.
It really stinks. Only grandpa eats it.
Pork ribs. The rinds are crisp. Crunchy.
-And herring. From the ocean. -Does it taste like ocean?
-I've never tasted it. -Never?.
Then do it now!
You have to taste it now!
Come on, Cecilie.
Life's too short. You're only here for a brief second.
It tastes sour, but sweet, too.
Sweet?
Sour...
We don't come to the world. The world comes to us.
Being bom is like receiving the whole world as a gift.
Breakfast? We have scrambled eggs and rolls.
No thanks.
How about some fruit salad?
l'll have a herring sandwich.
Herring?
-You want a herring sandwich? -Is that a problem?
Not at all.
She wants herring!
Herring?
I knew it! I knew she'd get her appetite back.
Another one?
Take one more.
-It's huge! -It's disgusting!
Look!
It was there, and I came from behind, and I was very quick.
But I wasn't so... afortunado.
What?
-He tenido suerte. -I don't understand.
Cecilie, it's five thirty.
I want to speak Spanish like you. Teach me. What is that?
-This is un pez. - Un pez.
It's trying to get away!
-And this is mar. - Mar.
Cecilie, Lasse, let's go!
-What are you doing? It'll die! -It doesn't want to be mine.
- Gracias. -You are already speaking Spanish.
-A little. - Un poco.
It's dangerous to sit on. You can fall underneath when it tips over.
-Goodbye. - Adiós.
Bye.
Adiós.
Cecilia...
Un beso.
Un beso...
Hm...
How long have you and grandpa known each other?
I have no idea.
An eternity.
-How did you meet? -I was studying in Bergen.
I fell head over heels. I was so nervous, my knees were shaking.
What's the matter?. Let me get your pills.
Here you go.
It makes your skin tingle.
It's so cold that you want to withdraw your hands.
But it feels good too.
Like kissing Sebastian?
Summer, in love, summer love in paradise...
I don't know anyone who has seen an angel before.
Because you see everything in a looking glass.
You can only see yourself.
-You can't see the other side. -We only know in part.
-Where did you hear that? -Paul wrote it.
That old blabbermouth.
Know what else he says?
He says love conquers all.
What do you call this?
-This is mano. - Mano.
And what do you call...this?
This is ojo.
Ojo.
And this?
This is labio.
Labio.
-Sorry. I have to go now. -OK.
But we can meet here. Tonight. Ten o'clock.
Cecilie? Hi.
You start.
Let's see if I can remember.
Do you know this one? Like this, and like this...
Now watch.
Wow!
What about a bone...
A bone-marrow transplant?
-Why aren't you answering him? -Her disease is too aggressive.
I'm sorry.
There must be some other...
There must be other forms of chemo that you haven't tried.
Something she hasn't tried yet. Tone...
-There are no other options. -There has to be something!
I have to get out of here!
-This isn't working. -Let's see how it turns out.
Like this?
Lovely!
OK, you start.
-Hi.Are you finished? -We were finished ages ago.
-Where have you been? -Talking to Anna. Ready to go?
Bye.
-What did you talk about? -Nothing in particular.
Think of an animal, dad.
-What? -Think of an animal.
OK.
-Do you have one in mind? -Yes.
-You start. -Does it have four legs?
-Yes. -Does it have fur?
-Yes. -Does it live in Norway?
How does it feel to be sad?
Answer me, Cecilie.
-We had a deal. -Can't you ask someone else?
I don't visit people that often.
The last one I visited, was a young boy in Germany, 300 years ago.
But he was too young and ill to tell me anything.
Did he die?
We like to think of it more as a change.
Are you visiting me because I'm going to ''change''?
You all come and go, Cecilie. You too.
Go!
I want you to leave, you stupid angel!
You horrible angel, go away!
Go away!
You're an engineer, not a doctor, Erik.
-Are you crying? -I'm slicing onions.
With that on?
Please eat something.
-No medicine on an empty stomach. -That isn't medicine.
-It's just some herbal crap. -No, it isn't.
-Stop that, Lasse! -I'm sick, too.
This is medicine, Cecilie. And it helps.
Please.
Stop it, Lasse! Get out of here!
I insist that you take this one. Don't argue with me.
Take it. It's important!
-Please, Cecilie! -No, I don't want it!
What are you doing?
Hey, honey...
-She has to take her medicine! -You can't force her!
She won't eat, won't drink, won't take her medicine...
-You can't force-feed her! -And what are you doing?
Looking for that star, hiding behind your Mac!
I'm actually doing something! I'm searching for a solution!
-A solution? -Yes, a solution!
-I'm here for her! -Maybe she needs a break from you!
You're a control freak!
-Surprise! -Hi!
Did you walk all the way here?
Yeah. I can't stand being around mom and dad. They're so stupid.
What do they do?
-Argue. -So did mine.
They argued all the time. It was a relief when they got divorced.
How do you like this dress?
-Nice. -It's too big around here.
I never have anything to wear!
-Are you going to a party? -At Lise's. With some boys from 10th.
-You should come! -I wasn't invited.
Lise would love it if you came.
-Come on! -OK.
Yes! Excellent!
Want some?
I just don't know what to do about a dress.
I can't show up there looking like hell.
Cecilie?
Cecilie!
-Is it night time? -Soon.
-I don't feel very well. -I understand.
You have pneumonia, but they've given you penicillin.
-Where is mom? -At home with Lasse.
She'll be here soon.
Listen, mom is very sad about that pill incident.
I'm glad she did that. I hate it when she lets me do whatever I want.
That scares me.
I understand.
Are you still fighting? Don't get a divorce! That would be the worst.
We aren't getting a divorce. Mom and I will work things out. I promise.
Everything will be OK.
Have you found the Christmas star?.
That star is nowhere to be found. I have searched high and low.
Under my desk, under the chairs...
I'm tired.
Get some rest.
-What's going on? -We're flying.
-My oxygen tube has come off! -There's plenty of oxygen up here.
-Am I asleep? -Why?
I don't usually float around in a hospitable bed.
Tell me what it's like to sleep, and l'll tell you about heaven.
Promise?
OK.
When we fall asleep, it feels like we're actually falling.
And then we start dreaming.
-Dreaming? -Yes.
When we dream, it's like our brain cells are showing each other movies.
Anything can happen. Like now.
We can fly around on a hospital bed. Crazy things can happen.
Hi, Cecilie!
Little Cecilie...
And then we wake up.
When you dream, can you fly and pass through doors?
Anything is possible.
When you dream, you do the same thing inside your head -
- that we do all over the universe.
Can nothing hurt you, when you dream?
Then you are just like angels. The difference is minimal.
Does that mean we are also immortal?
Come on! It's your turn.
Yes, but your mother is coming.
Why do you think we dream?
I don't know.
Maybe it's just...thoughts.
That somehow live their own life.
What do you think?
I think we dream because we need to dream ourselves away.
A lot of people are so miserable -
-that they would die of grief if they couldn't dream something nice.
Do you know that you are very wise?
And you are the most wonderful girl in the world.
This is delicious!
I didn't know Mediterranean fish could be this good!
Fish for you too! Cheers, everyone!
This is delicious! Good choice, Erik.
-All they can think about is food. -Isn't this great?
I can't eat this fish. It's staring at me.
Staring at you? Let's do something about that.
-No kisses for you! -It isn't staring anymore.
-Now it's blind. -It can't see anyone.
-We have to go. -Say thank you first.
Thank you for the meal.
Cecilie?
-Where is she going? -To meet a Spanish boy.
A Spanish boy? Now?
-Can I borrow it? -No. It's yours to keep.
My mother gave it to me. And now I'm giving it to you.
That way we all belong to each other.
It's so nice to have something together.
Thank you!
Let's go to the disco! Not the church!
-Why not? -Because...
I thought maybe...maybe we two could spend this last night together.
-This is my last chance to see him. -I don't want to!
We had an agreement. I told him I'm coming.
-He's probably waiting now. -Choose him or me.
-You don't mean that. -I'm serious!
I came on this trip so we could be together!
Klara!
Check these out!
-Let's go dance. -I don't feel like it.
Come on.
You should see yourself when you're with him, with your phony smile.
And you have this stupid, artificial laugh.
Fine. Go meet him, if that's what you want.
Go! Take off!
Sebastian!
Hi, Cecilie.
What did you ask Caroline about this morning?
I asked her...
When I would leave this place.
When do you think?
Soon.
No one knows when, -
- but you aren't getting any better, Cecilie.
-How do you feel about that? -How do you feel?
I feel horrible.
We all do. We feel horrible about it.
I wish there was something we could do to stop the disease.
When I die, a silverthread of pearls will break, -
- and run home to their oyster mothers at the bottom of the sea.
Who will dive for my pearls when I am gone?
Who can guess that they were mine?
Who will know that the whole world once hung around my neck?
What happened to this clock?
It must have fallen down. I don't know if I can fix it.
Stop it.
It's your turn. Tell me what it's like in heaven.
Yes. But first...
Look at this.
-What? -Can't you see it?
The moon is full! Perfect skiing weather!
-So? -Your skis are right there.
-Can't you see that I'm worse? -You aren't sick with me.
Come on!
-I do actually feel better. -I told you so.
I feel a lot better!
-To Raven Hill! -Are you strong enough?
Right now I feel strong as a bull!
Last one there is a rotten cheese!
It's closed.
There are billions of galaxies with billions of suns.
Angels have plenty of space. And plenty of time.
Sometimes I go up to the moon to dance ballet.
Other times I hopscotch between asteroids.
Or spend a few hundred years on a comet. Talk about fast!
If you wrote a book about this, you might win a Nobel Prize or two.
Why two?
One for astronomy and one for theology.
Or maybe for imagination.
Many people think we go to heaven when we die.
Do we?
You need to understand.
When you are on Earth, you are already in heaven.
This is Heaven on Earth.
Where mankind is.
There is nowhere else.
Try to keep up!
I've been waiting for this!
Mom went to get you some painkillers.
-I'm tired of everything! -I understand.
When I grow up I'm going to study astronomy.
-That sounds exciting. -Someone has to figure it all out.
It can't go on like this!
We don't understand everything.
Remember when we went home from Spain?
-That was a nice vacation. -Do you remember the flight?
-Yes, we got salmon... -Not the food!
I looked out the window, down at all the towns and mountains.
The cars, streets, and fields.
I feel like I own the whole world. Not just our house, or the river.
But part of Spain too. And the Mediterranean Sea.
And part of the sun, the moon, the stars.
I have seen them all, and no one can take that away from me!
That will always be mine.
I'm sick, but you're the ones who aren't paying attention.
Cecilie?
-What's the matter? -Just give me the damn bandages!
Shit!
Does it hurt?
Honey...
Cecilia!
Hi, Cecilia!
Look!
Ángeles.
How do you say that?
- Engler. - Engler.
Engler.
Cecilie!
I'm sorry.
Say goodbye, and then we have to leave.
OK.
I hope I see you again.
Me too.
-Will you write me a letter? -Yes.
-For sure? -Yes, for sure.
Cecilie, where is your pearl necklace?
I lost my necklace!
I must have lost it in the water.
You have to come now, Cecilie. What are you thinking?
No, Cecilie! Enough is enough!
We have a plane to catch, and you will do as I say.
We've been searching for you for hours. What are you thinking?
Don't forget me.
He is a boy. And boys are boys. They forget.
He doesn't love me.
Yes, he does.
If you really love someone, you don't forget.
Boys don't really forget. They're just easily distracted.
He doesn't mean anything to me anymore. Nothing does.
-When I die, l'll become an angel. -Do you think so?
You should know!
You come and go, Cecilie.
Better to experience something for a brief moment, than not at all.
No! If I was never created, I would never know what I was missing.
I understand that you are angry and sad.
And you are right, Cecilie.
Many things about the universe don't make sense.
There is something wrong with the big picture.
You have to be able to tell me something else about the other side.
If I polish the looking glass and let you look through it, -
- you'll be able to see more, -
- but you will no longer be able to see yourself.
Here.
Do that again.
One more time.
I'm sorry I lost your pearl necklace.
Don't be, sweet child.
Lasse...
Come, Lasse. Cecilie has something to tell you.
Can you write something for me?
''Some day all the stars will fall.''
''But a star is only a small spark-
- from the great bonfire in the sky.''
Are you crying?
Yes, I am crying.
Because it's beautiful, or because it's sad?
Both.
-Hi, Lasse. -He has something to say.
It was me, Cecilie.
I'm the one who broke your clock.
That's OK.
I was tired of that ticking anyway.
Tell dad -
- that the old Christmas star is behind the barn.
On last year's Christmas tree.
-Are you all here? -Grandpa and Lasse are ice skating.
You found it where I told you it was.
Cecilie, how did you know it was there?
An angel told me.
A letter has come for you.
-Do you want to wear it? -You're so lovely with it on.
Gently...
l'll never take it off again.
And when I have kids, -
- l'll pass it on to them.
There's a letter in here.
Let's see what it says.
Dear Cecilia.
I miss the time we had together here in Spain.
I was eager to find your pearls back to you.
I've been diving and diving.
And I have found all your pearls. All of them, I hope.
I would dive to the end of the world for you.
Coffee?
I forgot that you like milk in your coffee.
Isn't it strange that caring for someone brings tears to your eyes?
They'll be fine.
Are you coming?
Subtitles: Nick Norris